SD Custom is a great pickup

anomaly

anomaly

Well-known member
Thank you to the people that recommended it to me. I noticed quite a big difference in tone going from the stock Alnico 5 pickups to the Custom in my Yamaha. The high end especially, it's just very clear and defined with this pickup and distinct sounding, with a fat low end and mids have a nice growl to them as well... it might turn into my fav pickup so far, above the SD Distortion just because it's so unique sounding.
 
I once bought a new guitar that had a stock JB in it. The sound was OK but I thought it could be better, so I had a TB-5 Custom installed. (The TB-5 is the Fender spaced version of the SH-5 Custom) It was one of those "Fuck yeah!" moments. The Custom destroys the JB.

There are a lot of pickups that make me smile, but if I had to choose one bridge pickup to play for the rest of my life, I'd have no problem using the Duncan Custom. It's inspiring. It's one of those perfect pickups.
 
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I call the Duncan Custom The Eric Rutan Pickup cause he used one for YEARS until he switched to the Dirty Fingers & now Fishman.
 
I've had such good luck with the SH5 / TB5 in just about anything I've tried it in. Plenty of sizzle and bite without being harsh or strident. And the Ceramic mag keeps the low end tight - even with lighter weight, softer wood guitars. Enough output to really kick - but still has nice string separation / articulation and cleans up reasonably well with the volume knob.

I also really like the Custom/Custom with the A2 mag - but it can be a little to soft/undefined sounding in lighter weight, softer wood guitars.
 
Yep I use one in a LP, great with gain. Not a fan of the clean tone but could be my guitar. I want to see how that Custom 14 that's coming in the new LTD EC-01FTs compares.
 
I have had a Custom Custom for some time now and really like it. The guys at Duncan recommended it to me when I called about the JB being too bright in my Strat. They literally pre shipped a TB-11 to me and told me to just return the JB back them whenever. I was sold on Seymour Duncan ever since :yes:
 
Somehow only tried one of these in the past year or so and I was really impressed. It's really a "just right" pickup that I wouldn't hesitate to toss into a guitar if I there wasn't something else in particular that I wanted.
 
I’m a fan as well. My only complaint is they’re not as mid forward as I’d like.

Anyone wanna comment on whether EVH used one to get the brown sound? Saw a compelling YT vid not too long ago. Was it Pete Thorn?
 
Hate to be the Debbie Downer, but I don't love it, personally. I don't hate it either, but my experience wasn't all that extensive, if I must be honest. I once got a PRS SE that someone had swapped a Custom in. Tried it, thought it was alright, but immediately ripped it out to drop a Black Winter in there, and I was much happier. It was tighter, hotter, more agressive, more focused, and about as clear.

I tend feel like that with mid-output pickups myself. I find they're neither here nor there, in my humble opinion.

I also tried the Custom 5 and HATED it. I also don't think I'd like the Custom Custom.
 
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Rex Rocker said:
Hate to be the Debbie Downer, but I don't love it, personally. I don't hate it either, but my experience wasn't all that extensive, if I must be honest. I once got a PRS SE that someone had swapped a Custom in. Tried it, thought it was alright, but immediately ripped it out to drop a Black Winter in there, and I was much happier. It was tighter, hotter, more agressive, more focused, and about as clear.

I tend feel like that with mid-output pickups myself. I find they're neither here nor there, in my humble opinion.

I also tried the Custom 5 and HATED it. I also don't think I'd like the Custom Custom.
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Why comment if ya hate it? the black winter for a lot of people is "too much" so in the case of the OP the BW may not work for him. if i remember correctly you used to be an EMG Guy & now you're a High Output Passive guy.....Nothing in between.
 
anomaly said:
Thank you to the people that recommended it to me. I noticed quite a big difference in tone going from the stock Alnico 5 pickups to the Custom in my Yamaha. The high end especially, it's just very clear and defined with this pickup and distinct sounding, with a fat low end and mids have a nice growl to them as well... it might turn into my fav pickup so far, above the SD Distortion just because it's so unique sounding.
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This is how the Aldrich was explained to me at one point as a cross between a custom & a JB.....I went with the custom as a starting point.
 
The One said:
Why comment if ya hate it? the black winter for a lot of people is "too much" so in the case of the OP the BW may not work for him. if i remember correctly you used to be an EMG Guy & now you're a High Output Passive guy.....Nothing in between.
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I don't hate it. I just commented to discuss becase this is a discussion forum. The second sentence I wrote was "I don't hate it", LOL.

I also like slightly overwound PAF-types like the Duncan '59 or DiMarzio PAF 36th, FWIW, but yeah, I just wanted to add to the discussion. I'm by no means implying anyone's opinion is wrong.
 
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